Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

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BigSkyGLI
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Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by BigSkyGLI »

Hey guys - some of you know me from my days in the Bozone, most I am sure don't. I lived out there for 5 years or so and moved back to New England in 2007.

Trevor (MTGetto) was kind enough to drive out a rarely seen (here anyway) rust free and original 1990 Calypso GLI to me a few weeks back. I will try to keep everyone updated on how this transplant is doing as I know at least one of you also has some history with the car.

I have some big plans for this baby, but she will always remain a 16v. I am unfortunately not mechanically gifted as many on here obviously are, so you may have to bear with me a bit. :rolleyes:

Here she is as she arrived from the trip from Montana to Massachusetts. The guys had a blowout in South Dakota, which ripped the drivers wheel arch flare and some of the lower trim off. That was okay with me because I had planned on removing all of that anyway - plastic trim doesn't treat cars well in the moist air here. Most MK2's that lived their lives here have gaping holes behind the wheel arches.

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Sorry, not a great photo.

My first task was to clean up the 5 spoke wheels. Mission accomplished! They came out pretty good actually if I do say so myself.

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Then I removed the rest of the trim with the exception of some riveted items and some really tough double sided tape...it's on the list...

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Haven't finished the passenger side - but as Rob B once said "It's pretty hard to see both sides of a car at the same time" :unibrow:

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As luck would have it Craigslist led me to a guy in Rhode Island with three buildings full of VW parts from the last 20 years. I am talking boxes and boxes of stuff, body panels, wheels, you name it. I am pretty sure he was a little autistic because I would mention a part and he would almost run to where it was...one of them was under a pile of leaves behind a shed... Great guy and I am sure I will see more of him. Here is what I got from the first trip.

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Pretty much everything I need for the swap, minus the small bumper guides for the front and the quarter flares for in front of the rear wheels.

I started on the reconditioning of the rear bumper first. I am sure Aaron, Joe, and maybe Mike remember when the "FukenGruven" stickers came out. I hadn't seen one in years. :laughing:

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Took out the ole heat gun and gave it a go...

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And Voila!!! Not bad!

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Installed the full rain tray I got. This thing is perfect!

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Cleaned up some other parts and assembled my new grill, primed and painted the metal piece. I couldn't find any paint that resembled Calypso, so I just went with black for now.

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As she sits now waiting for the small bumper guides...

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As it happens we are also waiting for our first child - due in about 6 weeks, so I am trying to get this done before she arrives. She will be able to ride in comfort however!

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Updates to come...damn that was long - sorry guys! :beer:
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Re: Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by BigSkyGLI »

Almost forgot - here are the wheels I stole from my buddies shed. :nod:

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And a parting shot..for now!

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Re: Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by Darkside »

those will look great! :thumbsup:
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Re: Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by MT-Getto »

Muhahaha
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Re: Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by Mikewire »

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Awesome work. :thumbsup:

And that sticker will be cut on my plotter the next go-round of stickers.

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Re: Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by BigSkyGLI »

Thanks guys! Been busting my ass on it all day today...work is overrated!!!

Mike - I will take a few of those if you are going to sell some! That is awesome - takes me back big time. :thumbsup:
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Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by YASHA7FOLD »

Nice work.


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Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by sneakyboy1 »

Glad to see she stayed in the big sky family.
Looking great, those wheels are going to be awesome on it!
I still have a fukengruven shirt from when I was 15. Doesn't fit anymore :-/
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Re: Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by Darkside »

I like that sticker Mikey!
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Re: Project East Coast - 1990 Calypso GLI

Post by BigSkyGLI »

Okay so I spent a majority of the day working on the car yesterday - although I don't feel like the progress reflects that...

Got the front and rear rebars sanded and painted.

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Really screwed up in the front - I was just unbolting things and not paying enough attention. Got the last bolt out and the car dropped an inch or two...luckily my hands were clear of everything. :banghead: Got out the jack and promptly reassembled.

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Idiot - I will be paying more attention from now on.

Rear bumper removal went pretty smooth. I should be mounting it up complete today. Gave the area behind a good washing and a couple of layers of wax as it won't be seeing the light of day for a while again.

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I also got all of the passenger side trim off - with the exception of the doublesided tape. I am going to finish heat gunning a second rear bumper cover and deciding which one I will use.

Also got the email from ECS last night - my front bumper supports should be here on Friday!!!! That means I can also button that up. :ninja:
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